Location on North Colonnade



24. St. Mary of Egypt
The 140 Saints of the Colonnade

Location Area
North Colonnade Coat of Arms

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Saints 1-21
Saints 22-44
Saints 45-70
Saints 71-96
Saints 97-119
Saints 120-140

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Mary of Egypt
Died - Fifth Century

Feastday - 3 April

Sculptor - Lazzaro Morelli

Statue created - c.1665-1667
It is part of a group of 24 erected between September 1662 and March 1667.

Height - 3.1 m. (10ft 4in) travertine
The travertine was of poor quality and has prompted a number of heavy restorations.

The saint is shown with long flowing hair that blends with the billowing rope.  She is caught in the act of praying with folded hands to her chest and her face to the sky. Perhaps her one bare leg alludes to her previous status as a prostitute.

In Palestine, St Mary of Egypt was a celebrated sinner of Alexandria before she converted to God in Jerusalem at the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. After her conversion she led a penitential life of solitude across the Jordan. She is revered as the patron saint of penitents.

Saints on North Colonnade

 26. Febronia,
25. Mark the Evangelist,
24. Mary of Egypt
23.Ephraim
22. Theodosia

Alexander VII Coat of Arms
above North Square Entrance

Saints on North Colonnade

From Apostolic Palace
To Obelisk

Saints (38) to (13)

 

Sources:
Roma Sacra - San Pietro in Vaticano, Itineraries 21-22, ©Fabbrica of St. Peter's, July 2001
Le Statue Berniniani del Colonnato di San Pietro by Valentino Martinelli ©1987 by de Luca Editore

 

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